Book Summary – When He Was Wicked – Bridgerton – Book 6
- Jason Montero
- Sep 4
- 17 min read
Updated: Sep 5
Book summary by chapter of When He Was Wicked. Includes spoilers from the first impossible love to the end of the book. Desire never whispered louder nor guilt tasted sweeter: Michael Stirling lived in the shadows of Francesca’s heart until his cousin’s death shattered the truce between honor and passion. In a world where mourning fades to blue and gardens conceal secrets, forbidden love becomes destiny—and forgiveness, the only true inheritance.
Introduction – When He Was Wicked
Some stories begin with a kiss. Others, with a promise. But When He Was Wicked begins with a forbidden love—silent, consuming, and loyal through time. In this sixth installment of the Bridgerton Series, Julia Quinn unravels romantic conventions and leads us into the heartache and hidden passion between Francesca and Michael.
From the very first page, this book summary by chapter takes us through a journey where grief and longing go hand in hand. Each scene stretches emotions to the limit, where unspoken words and lingering gazes say more than entire conversations. Michael Stirling, cousin to Francesca’s late husband, is a man torn between duty and a love he dared never speak… until fate forced his hand.
A book where tenderness burns, the past lingers, and the future demands courage. To see how this world connects from the very beginning, don’t miss this key step: Reading order of the Bridgerton Series ➤
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Chapter Navigation
Chapter 1 Summary – When He Was Wicked – An Impossible Love
Michael Stirling has spent his life charming women without ever truly giving away his heart—until one look at Francesca Bridgerton changes everything. He falls hopelessly in love with her, but fate plays a cruel trick on him: Francesca is about to marry his cousin, John, the Earl of Kilmartin. Hiding his suffering, Michael maintains his façade as a carefree rake while enduring the torture of watching her happiness with another man. Francesca and John share a harmonious life, while Michael tries to convince himself he can move on. One night, Francesca insists on taking a walk with Michael, unaware that John is feeling unwell. Upon their return, they find John lying motionless in bed. Desperate, Francesca begs Michael to wake him, but Michael already knows the truth—John is dead. Tragedy strikes, leaving an irreplaceable void.
Chapter 2 Summary – When He Was Wicked – An Unwanted Title
John’s death changes everything. Devastated, Michael must now face the reality that he is the new heir to the Kilmartin earldom, a title he never wanted. As Francesca is consumed by grief, Michael battles guilt and sorrow, unable to accept his cousin’s loss. Lord Winston, a relentless bureaucrat, reminds Michael that the title will not officially pass to him until it is confirmed that Francesca is not pregnant. Michael refuses to question her, but tradition dictates that someone must witness the birth if she is expecting an heir. As the responsibilities of the earldom weigh on him, Michael finds it impossible to be near Francesca without yearning for what he can never have. When she confronts him, demanding his friendship, he pulls away even more. His secret love for her, once a silent torment, now becomes unbearable, forcing him to distance himself further.
Chapter 3 Summary – When He Was Wicked – The Loss of a Dream
Francesca discovers she is pregnant, and for a brief moment, hope intertwines with her mourning. Her child would be the last connection to John, but her joy is short-lived when she suffers a miscarriage. The news shakes the family, and upon receiving an urgent message, Michael rushes back to Kilmartin House. There, the truth hits him with full force—Francesca has lost the baby, along with the last piece of John. While their mothers try to comfort her, Michael feels more lost than ever. Francesca, drowning in her grief, seeks out Michael, but he cannot give her the support she needs. His secret love consumes him, making it impossible to stay. Deep inside, he knows the earldom now belongs to him, but all he truly desires is to escape. For the first time, he understands that the only way to survive is to distance himself from Francesca.
Chapter 4 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Michael’s Decision
Francesca is overwhelmed by sorrow. She has lost her husband, her child, and now, she feels as though she is losing Michael too. Desperate to restore their friendship, she confronts him at his home, but he, tormented by his secret love, refuses to be a substitute for John. In a moment of anger and despair, Michael loses control and lets his suffering show, frightening her. Hurt, Francesca decides it is best to keep her distance from him. Michael, feeling more guilty than ever, realizes he cannot continue like this. His love for Francesca will never fade, and being near her only shatters him further. With a broken heart, he makes a drastic decision—to leave England. Without looking back, he arranges his departure. His destination is India, a place far enough away to escape his impossible love.
Chapter 5 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Michael’s Return to London
Francesca longs for a child, a desire that intensifies after a visit from her sister Daphne and her nephews. Loneliness engulfs her, and she realizes she must do something about it. She decides to travel to London earlier than expected, refreshing her wardrobe with vibrant colors, leaving mourning behind. Michael, after years in India, feels he has delayed his return long enough. Managing the earldom does not call to him, but neither can he keep running. Upon arriving, he hopes to avoid Francesca, but fate has other plans. On a cold night, she descends into the library seeking warmth, only to find Michael standing by the fire. Their reunion is tense, filled with unspoken emotions. He tries to keep his distance, but Francesca’s presence unsettles him. To her, Michael is a friend, someone familiar, but for him, denying his feelings is becoming increasingly impossible.
Chapter 6 Summary – When He Was Wicked – A Walk and a Purpose
The next morning, Francesca left Kilmartin House to avoid gossip, moving in with her mother. Michael visited her, resuming his role as a charming man, even captivating Violet Bridgerton. During a walk through Hyde Park, Francesca confessed her desire to remarry and have a child. Michael was stunned, feeling a pang of jealousy he could not admit. She sought a practical marriage, without illusions of love, but he could only think of the pain of seeing her with another man. Unaware of his torment, Francesca suggested helping him find a wife, an idea that Michael found unbearable. However, he masked his emotions behind a carefree smile. The afternoon passed with laughter and companionship, but inside, he was burning with anguish. While Francesca looked to the future with hope, Michael saw only the possibility of losing her forever.
Chapter 7 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Francesca and the Fear of Change
Francesca decided to update her wardrobe, a clear sign that she was ready to leave mourning behind. During the trip with her mother, she asked why Violet had never remarried, learning that Violet had never sought a second love. Francesca feared making a mistake, dishonoring John’s memory, but she also knew she did not want to live in solitude. Meanwhile, Michael was sinking into despair. Knowing Francesca was searching for a husband was tearing him apart. Upon returning home, he felt ill and attributed it to the cold. However, as his fever worsened, he realized that malaria had returned. Francesca, worried about his absence at dinner, went to Kilmartin House and found him in a terrible state. Seeing him trembling with fever, she forgot all resentment and decided to care for him. Michael, despite his suffering, found an odd comfort in her presence.
Chapter 8 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Caring for Michael
Michael spent the night battling fever, with Francesca by his side. The next morning, though still weak, he felt comforted seeing her asleep in an uncomfortable chair next to his bed. He had never seen her wake up before, and in that instant, he realized just how much he loved her. When Francesca opened her eyes, she found him looking better, but the illness would continue its cycle, attacking him every other day. Concerned, she insisted on caring for him and keeping his condition a secret from others, respecting his wish to avoid pity. However, Michael knew his family would soon notice his decline. Francesca, still anxious, decided to return to her mother before raising suspicions. Just as she was leaving, he made a teasing remark, bringing a smile to her face. Amid pain and illness, she remained his only solace, though he could never tell her.
Chapter 9 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Michael and Francesca’s Secret
Michael tried to hide his illness from high society, but Francesca struggled with the servants and her family, especially her mother and sister Hyacinth, who suspected something. During breakfast, Hyacinth questioned her about her frequent visits to Kilmartin House, and Violet decided to accompany her. Desperate, Francesca ran to warn Michael. Still weak with fever, he found amusement in her panic until she revealed that Violet believed there was a romance between them. Francesca was horrified by the idea, while Michael found it entertaining. When Janet and Helen, Michael’s maternal figures, arrived in London, the situation changed. They accepted his illness in secret and began plotting his marriage. Meanwhile, Francesca discovered that high society was obsessed with Michael, and though he never admitted it, he suffered knowing she was determined to find a husband.
Chapter 10 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Violet’s Party and the Expectation for Michael
During Violet’s birthday party, Francesca endured endless questions about Michael. Every matchmaking mother wanted to introduce their daughters to him, while single women swooned over him. Lady Danbury, with her characteristic sarcasm, pointed out that Michael was the center of attention. Francesca tried to escape the situation by staying with her sisters, but even they noticed her blue dress—her first outfit outside of mourning. Sophie and Kate hinted that her change in attire signaled she was ready to remarry, and though uncomfortable, Francesca confirmed it. Meanwhile, Michael arrived at the party and was immediately surrounded by women. Francesca watched from a distance, irritated without understanding why. Her sisters encouraged her to speak with him, and when she finally did, she teased him about his reputation as a rake. However, Michael did not find the comment amusing, subtly revealing that his reputation no longer pleased him.
Chapter 11 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Michael’s Admirers and Francesca’s Indifference
Michael could not help but watch Francesca, even as she seemed increasingly distant. During the party, he tried to act as the charming rake society expected, but his conversations with Francesca unsettled him. She mocked his reputation, unaware that he no longer enjoyed his image as a seducer. When she suggested he should find a wife, he became irritated, feeling that Francesca saw him as nothing more than a shallow flirt. The next day, she received an overwhelming number of floral arrangements from eager suitors, confirming her status as the most sought-after woman of the season. Seeing the bouquets, Michael felt jealous but masked it with sarcasm. Amused, Francesca asked if he was annoyed, never suspecting the truth. Michael knew she was determined to remarry, and though the thought tormented him, there was nothing he could do about it.
Chapter 12 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Michael and His Internal Struggle
Michael tried to convince himself that Francesca had to marry someone else, but the thought consumed him. At his club, he overheard other men discussing her—some with admiration, others making flippant comments that enraged him. When a nobleman suggested that Francesca was a "desirable widow," Michael lost control and nearly strangled him. Colin Bridgerton, witnessing the incident, invited him for a drink and suggested that Michael should marry Francesca himself. Michael vehemently refused, but Colin insisted that if he did not, she might choose poorly. The conversation unsettled him, forcing him to confront a desire he had suppressed for years. Leaving the club, he knew he would not be able to stop thinking about Francesca, even if marrying her meant betraying John’s memory.
Chapter 13 Summary – When He Was Wicked – An Unconfessed Desire
Michael suffered in silence as he watched Francesca surrounded by suitors. Each day, he felt more trapped by the forbidden desire he had tried to suppress for years. His mother, Helen, urged him to dance with Francesca at a ball, but he chose to ignore his emotions. However, when Francesca suddenly disappeared from the ballroom, unease consumed him. Following her into the garden, he found her cornered by Sir Geoffrey, who was attempting to force a kiss upon her. Without hesitation, Michael intervened, shoving the man aside and making it clear he would not tolerate any disrespect toward her. Though Francesca was grateful, the incident ignited a dangerous tension between them. When she asked how he knew she was in trouble, Michael responded with devastating honesty: "I am always watching you." His confession unsettled Francesca, leaving her unable to ignore what it truly meant.
Chapter 14 Summary – When He Was Wicked – A Stolen Kiss in the Night
Francesca tried to convince herself that Michael rescuing her had changed nothing, but she could not stop thinking about the intensity in his eyes. When she heard him return home late at night, she impulsively went to meet him. Unsure of what to say, she simply asked if he was all right, but he remained distant and evasive. Francesca pressed him to explain why he seemed upset with her, but Michael resisted admitting the truth. As their conversation escalated, she burst into his bedroom, demanding answers. On the edge of losing control, Michael tried to push her away, but the tension between them was unbearable. Their eyes locked, filled with suppressed longing, and Michael finally gave in, kissing her passionately. Francesca responded before reality struck her. Horrified by her own feelings, she fled, convinced that putting distance between them was the only solution.
Chapter 15 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Fleeing from Desire
Unable to process what had happened with Michael, Francesca fled to Scotland under a weak pretense of handling affairs at Kilmartin. Michael, devastated, knew she was avoiding him because of their kiss. His years of self-control had crumbled, and now that he had tasted her, he knew he could never forget. He sought refuge at his club, where Colin Bridgerton confronted him directly: why not marry Francesca? Michael rejected the idea, fearing she would never accept him and that he would betray John’s memory. However, when Colin informed him that Francesca was alone in Scotland, the thought of losing her forever became unbearable. With a plan in mind, he decided to follow her. Meanwhile, Francesca wrestled with her desire, tormented by what the kiss had meant. No matter how much she tried to convince herself it had been a mistake, her heart and body told her otherwise.
Chapter 16 Summary – When He Was Wicked – An Unthinkable Proposal
Michael arrives in Kilmartin determined to confront Francesca. He finds her after one of her long walks, and when she sees him, she realizes the moment to face the inevitable has come. He brings news from London—Colin Bridgerton is engaged—but his true reason for visiting is far more personal. Without hesitation, Michael proposes marriage. Francesca is stunned, refusing to accept that such an idea could make sense. He offers her stability, understanding, and the chance to have children, but all she sees is the emotional chaos his presence has caused. No matter how much logic she tries to apply, what scares her most is the desire she feels for him. When she tries to walk away, Michael gently stops her, whispering a question in her ear that completely unravels her: “Don’t you want another kiss?”
Chapter 17 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Francesca’s Seduction
Michael realizes that convincing Francesca with logic will not work. If he wants her to be his, he must appeal to passion. He finds her trembling after the kiss they shared. She insists it was a mistake, but her body tells a different story. He corners her with whispers and soft touches, awakening a desire Francesca can no longer deny. When his lips ignite a fire on her skin, she loses control and surrenders to him in a night of unrestrained passion. In his arms, she discovers an unknown pleasure, far more intense than what she ever shared with John. However, guilt consumes her at dawn. Unable to face what she has done, she flees. But Michael has no intention of letting her go.
Chapter 18 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Fleeing from Temptation
Francesca wakes up burdened with remorse. She despises herself for betraying John’s memory and, most of all, for feeling overwhelming pleasure in Michael’s arms. Unable to bear it, she escapes into the rain. Michael searches for her for hours and finds her drenched, hiding beneath a tree. With a mix of fury and concern, he forces her to return with him. Francesca struggles against the closeness of his body on the horse, but the storm forces them to take shelter in the old gardener’s cottage. Trapped in a confined space with soaked clothes, the heat between them reignites. Michael insists they marry, but she refuses to give in. She knows she desires him, but her fear is stronger. He, however, is determined not to surrender without a fight.
Chapter 19 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Under Michael’s Spell
Alone in the gardener’s cottage, Michael seduces Francesca with relentless tenderness. This time, she takes control. She teases him, torments him with her touch, and pushes him to the edge before finally surrendering completely. The passion they share is so intense that Francesca feels trapped under a spell. But when it ends and reality sets in, she returns to Kilmartin more uncertain than ever. Michael gives her space, confident she will accept the inevitable. However, Francesca fears that marrying him means betraying her love for John. Tired of waiting, Michael confronts her—if she does not accept his love, he will stop chasing her. The decision is in her hands.
Chapter 20 Summary – When He Was Wicked – The Beginning of the Courtship
Francesca believes that by asking for time, she has gained distance, but Michael has other plans. Instead of pressuring her, he begins courting her. He sends her flowers, invites her to tea, and treats her with a tenderness that unsettles her. She does not understand his strategy or his patience, but she cannot help feeling drawn to his charm. In a quiet moment in the library, he tempts her with a simple kiss on the hand, and Francesca realizes she is losing the battle against her own feelings. She swears she will resist, but when Michael whispers for her to dream of him, she knows it is already too late.
Chapter 21 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Francesca’s Decision
Francesca remains in Kilmartin, trapped in a dilemma. Michael has proposed to her multiple times, but she evades answering, unable to face her emotions. Though she tells herself she would only marry him if she became pregnant, she returns to his bed every night. She convinces herself that she seeks his company out of restlessness, but she knows it is a lie. Michael, though patient, is growing frustrated. Each time she changes the subject when marriage is mentioned, his love for her burns more fiercely, almost angrily. But then, her monthly courses arrive, and Francesca weeps. She does not know if it is because she is not pregnant or because marriage is no longer an inevitable outcome. For the first time, she rejects Michael, and though he understands, the distance between them weighs heavily on him. Finally, after an interrupted night of passion, he demands an answer. Francesca flees into the rain, unable to accept what she feels.
Chapter 22 Summary – When He Was Wicked – An Impulsive Wedding
Deciding how to announce her marriage to Michael proves more difficult than expected. Francesca is unsure how her family will react, especially Janet, John’s mother. When Michael hands her a letter from his mother, Francesca is surprised to learn that Colin and Penelope have already married and that Eloise is also engaged to a man she barely knows. She feels ignored, left out of the family news. Amused, Michael suggests they marry immediately. In Scotland, no marriage banns are needed, and he persuades her with whispered caresses and promises. Trapped in her desire, Francesca agrees. Michael challenges her to seal her decision with an immediate wedding. She gives in, laughing and teasing, ensuring there will be no other women in their marriage. He, knowing with certainty that he will never desire anyone else, takes her to the ceremony. That same night, now his wife, Francesca feels different.
Chapter 23 Summary – When He Was Wicked – Francesca’s Fear
Two weeks after the wedding, Francesca notices that Michael is unwell. He insists it is not malaria, but his fever rises, and his cough worsens. Terrified, Francesca remembers that his previous attacks had occurred months apart. If this one has come so soon, does it mean he is growing weaker? As she cares for him, her fear consumes her. She goes for a walk and takes refuge in the lookout point, where she finally allows herself to cry. She cannot lose him. Not after what she feels. Amid sobs, she realizes the truth—she loves Michael. Not just as a friend, but as her husband. The revelation stuns and terrifies her. Has she realized it too late? She returns to find his fever has not subsided. Michael then realizes that she was afraid he was dying. When he reassures her that it is not malaria, Francesca breaks down in tears, overwhelmed with relief and something more she still cannot say.
Chapter 24 Summary – When He Was Wicked – The Confession at John’s Grave
The next day, Francesca leaves Michael resting and goes to John’s grave. She brings peonies, his favorite flowers, and sits beside the tombstone. In trembling words, she confesses to John that she has begun to feel something for someone. As she speaks Michael’s name, a certainty washes over her—John would have approved. He would have wanted her to be happy. In that moment, she realizes she has loved Michael all along. It is not a betrayal; it is true love. As she weeps, a voice interrupts her. Michael stands there, pale and weak, but looking at her intently. He has heard everything. Francesca tells him she loves him. Deeply moved, he embraces her with all his strength. As they return home, she tells him she had planned a grand romantic confession. He replies that it does not matter—he only needed to hear her say it. “I love you,” she repeats. And Michael knows that, at last, he has everything he ever wanted.
Epilogue Summary – When He Was Wicked – Janet’s Blessing
Michael receives an unexpected letter from Janet, John’s mother. In it, she admits that the announcement of his marriage to Francesca took her by surprise, though Helen, with her keen intuition, was not shocked at all. However, rather than rejecting their union, Janet acknowledges that they are meant for each other. She speaks of the special bond they share, a connection beyond logic, which now seems obvious to her. Still, her love for John remains unchanged—she misses him every day and will always grieve his absence. Yet, she finds comfort in knowing that both Michael and Francesca remember him with the same affection. In a gesture of generosity and acceptance, Janet gives them her blessing and, with heartfelt words, thanks Michael for having waited for his moment. “Thank you for allowing my son to love her first,” she writes, closing the chapter with love and reconciliation.
Conclusion – When He Was Wicked
Sometimes true love doesn’t arrive at the right time. Sometimes it comes after grief, after guilt, after the strongest resistance. When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn isn’t just the sixth book of the series—it’s one of the most intense and deeply human. Through this book summary by chapter, we’ve witnessed a story where desire is born not of innocence, but of shared sorrow.
Francesca and Michael show us that love can grow from the ashes. That loving again is not a betrayal—but a way of honoring life. The epilogue, with Janet’s unexpected blessing, brings a soft and moving closure: one of peace, reconciliation, and hope. Because sometimes, what seemed impossible only needed time.
And what comes next is no less touching. The series continues with new challenges, new secrets, and hearts at stake. Don’t miss the next chapter: Summary by Chapter – It’s In His Kiss ➤
FAQs – Chapter by Chapter Summary – When He Was Wicked
Why does Michael Stirling hide his love for Francesca for so long?
Because Michael believes loving his late cousin’s wife is an unforgivable betrayal. From the start, his love is tangled with guilt, duty, and mourning. He suffers in silence, never daring to confess until fate leaves him no choice. This inner conflict defines his arc throughout the novel.
How does Michael’s malaria impact his bond with Francesca?
Michael’s illness becomes an emotional turning point. His physical vulnerability awakens Francesca’s protective instincts, pushing her to confront feelings she had long buried. Their bond deepens as care and concern dissolve the walls they’ve built around their hearts.
What is the meaning of Francesca’s blue dress at Violet’s party?
The blue dress symbolizes Francesca’s emotional rebirth. It marks her decision to step out of mourning and embrace the possibility of love again. It’s a visual cue that shakes Michael, underscoring the shift in their relationship and her readiness for change.
Why does Francesca flee after her first night with Michael?
Overwhelmed by guilt and fear, Francesca runs away. Though the passion is undeniable, she feels she’s betraying John’s memory. The intensity of the night unravels her emotional defenses, leaving her unable to face the truth about her desire—and her heart.
How does Janet’s letter reshape the story’s ending?
Janet’s blessing gives the emotional closure Francesca and Michael desperately need. Her acceptance lifts the weight of guilt, transforming their love from forbidden to sacred. Her words validate their happiness and bring the story full circle—with grace, love, and forgiveness.
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